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Oppn vows to pursue PM over AWU scandal

The federal opposition has vowed to use the final sitting week of parliament to pursue Prime Minister Julia Gillard over the Australian Workers Union (AWU) scandal.

Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop says the prime minister has misled the Australian people about her involvement in setting up a slush fund for union officials, including her then boyfriend Bruce Wilson, 17 years ago.

"The prime minister has been less than honest in her answers to legitimate questions asked by the press and in the parliament," Ms Bishop told reporters in Perth on Wednesday.

"The answers she has given in parliament will be the subject of further scrutiny next week."

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Ms Bishop said she understood a former AWU official, Ralph Blewitt, had returned to Australia to clear his conscience about the role he played in the misuse of union funds.

Mr Blewitt has previously admitted he engaged in the fraud with Mr Wilson, then AWU Victorian secretary, by issuing bogus invoices and receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars during the 1990s.

He will reportedly make a statement to Victoria Police after consulting with his lawyers in Melbourne.

Mr Blewitt has vowed to reveal everything he knows about the fraud in exchange for immunity from prosecution, The Australian said on Wednesday.

Ms Bishop said Ms Gillard should give "a full explanation" to parliament.

"I can assure the prime minister there will be an opportunity next week for her to answer legitimate questions about her role in what turned out be a massive fraud against the AWU," she said.

The issue not only went to Ms Gillard's professional and ethical conduct as a lawyer at the time, Ms Bishop said.

"It also goes to her integrity and honesty today."

Speaking in Melbourne on Wednesday, Mr Blewitt said he only knew about the slush fund in Western Australia.

"I have no knowledge of what Wilson's activities were in Victoria," he told ABC TV.

Mr Blewitt said in the past he had been "having trouble with recollection of the events" but more recently had been shown numerous documents "that have refreshed my memory as to the course of events that occurred and filled in some of the gaps".

The former AWU official apologised to union members and said he deeply regretted his involvement.

"It was never my intention to do any harm to members," Mr Blewitt said.

"At no time did I personally financially benefit from it."

He also called on others with knowledge of the scandal to come forward and help clear the decks.

"The public have a right to know.

"The police need as much information as they can (get) so they can, if they deem necessary, reopen and investigate the thing."